American Society 1910 - 1929: Revision
Name 2 nicknames for the 1920s
Who is this famous actor?
Charlie Chaplin Silent film star Most famous character – ‘The Tramp’ Famous for comedies
Who is this famous actress? (Clue G____ G____ )
Greta Garbo Film Actress
What were the key features of 1920s films? Silent Black and white ‘Talkies’ introduced in late 20s – The Jazz Singer was one of most successful early talkies
Famous sex symbols.
Clara Bow was an America actress who played silent films in the 1920s. Made her world famous as a `it girl’.
Rudolf Valentino was an Italian actor, Sex symbol. He was one of the most popular international stars in the 1920s. Also played silent films.
Why was the cinema popular? Remember C-I-N-E-M-A Cheap – films were mass produced and affordable.
People had more money and free time because of the boom
Interested in celebrities – peoples wanted to see stars like Valentino and follow fashions of film stars
New way of socialising with friends Every small town had a ‘picture palace’ Mass-produced films in Hollywood – new releases all the time
Advertising –promoted the films and their stars
By 1930 100 million cinema tickets were being sold a week.
Hays Code Some people thought films were too shocking and lowered moral standards Hays code nudity not allowed in cinema Length of kisses restricted.
In 1920, KDKA was the first‌what? Radios were also mass-produced and cheap Advertising grew to finance radio programmes No longer had to be able to read to learn about the news – people became more politically aware Radio Station
Jazz was popular because of radio
What was Jazz music?
Originated in black communities Played in speakeasies Many older people thought it was immoral and encouraged loose morals
Who is this famous Jazz trumpeter?
Louis Armstrong From New Orleans Also played cornet
Name the famous dances
Charleston
Black Bottom Shuffle
What is a flapper? Flapper: Urban, liberated women. Bobbed hair, wore bright clothes and lots of make up. Often smoked and drank and went out without chaperone
Positive things for women in 1920s!
Women were given the right to vote in 1920
Office and radio industries gave more women jobs
Middle-class women had more free time because of new labour-saving devices
Enjoyed more freedom or expression (as shown by the way flappers behaved)
New labour-saving devices meant some women had more free time
Negative things for women in 1920s! Families of farmers and labourers often lived in poverty. Only 32% had running water. Didn’t have time or money to be flappers.
Childcare and running a home were still seen as women’s responsibilities.
Sexism and discrimination still existed
Name a famous boxer of the 1920s
Jack Dempsey
Name a famous baseball player of the 1920s
Babe Ruth
Who was Gene Tunney? Boxer Defeated Jack Dempsey twice in 1926 and 27. 1927 match one of most famous in boxing history. Nicknamed ‘The Long Count Fight’
Why did organised sport gain popularity?
Stars – Babe Ruth and other sports stars became celebrities. Made the games more popular.
People could afford to go – because of economic boom Opened new stadiums during boom (Yankee Stadium in
New York)
Radio broadcast games Time – people had more free time, thanks to labour
saving devices
Fads, crazes and a passion for heroes 1920s saw a passion for short lived fads and crazes!
Crosswords Mah Jong (board game)
Flagpole Sitting – made famous by Shipwreck Kelly!
Dance Marathons Beauty Contests
Who was Charles Lindbergh Pilot – became hero of 1920s First person to fly nonstop from New York to Paris in 1927 His plane – Spirit of St. Louis had no radio, no map or parachute!
What is the bible-belt? Name given parts of United States, especially in the South and Mid West, where Protestant fundamentalism is widespread Laws were passed to keep out ‘the evils of city life’ e.g. banned indecent bathing costumes, gambling on Sunday Many criticised Jazz culture and lifestyle of those in cities
The Essay Question!
Did all Americans enjoy the Jazz Age? Remember you must write a balanced, two-sided answer
Jazz Can Be Great Fun for You
Not Really My Cup Of Tea
Those who DID – Remember ‘Jazz Can Be Great Fun for You’
Jazz was especially popular with young people – speakeasies; Charleston; radios all popular Cars, sports were popular with many. Black people enjoyed more success (Louis Armstrong/Harlem Renaissance) Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. Popular; many actors became stars Flappers – more freedom and independence Young people – enjoyed fads and crazes eg dance marathons
Those who DIDN’T – Remember ‘’Not Really My Cup Of Tea’
Not all Black people benefited.
Religious Fundamentalists – ‘ungodly’; passed laws in Bible
Often not allowed into allwhite Jazz clubs. Some whites thought Jazz was ‘devil’s music’ because of its black origins. Belt.
Most women didn’t have time or money to be flappers
Cinema shocked some people (hence Hays Code); cars
criticised by some (prostitution on wheels; getaway cars)
Older people – Generation Gap; couldn’t understand changes; thought dances etc too sexual; shocked by flapper lifestyles
Twenties might have been nicknamed the Jazz Age but weren’t roaring for everyone!